Sen. Tim Richards

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 40) urges the U.S. government to develop a national biodiversity strategy. It requests a coordinated federal plan to protect ecosystems, conserve species, and align with international conservation standards. The resolution highlights Hawaii’s unique biodiversity challenges, including over 550 endangered species and low federal conservation funding relative to its ecological significance. As a non-binding request, it does not create new laws but calls for federal action to address the national biodiversity crisis.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 133) requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules permitting rodeos on lands zoned for agricultural use. It does not create new law but asks the agency to establish regulatory guidelines. The resolution cites Hawaii's historical paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture and a 1908 rodeo victory by Hawaiian cowboys as context for the request. It specifically targets agricultural zoning rules, not general land use.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 157 requests the Department of Agriculture to designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor. It also asks the department to create a prioritized list of agricultural infrastructure projects (like roads and water systems) based on factors including cost, projected production increases, and land use plans. The resolution requires the department to submit a report with this list and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution directly affects farmers and landowners in the designated corridor areas by guiding future infrastructure investments to support Hawaii's goal of increasing local food production.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 76 urges the Governor and state agencies to integrate Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge (including traditional ecological practices and the Hawaiian language) into climate policy decisions. It specifically calls for this integration in three areas: climate adaptation (adjusting to climate impacts), climate mitigation (reducing emissions), and climate resiliency (building community strength). The resolution does not create new laws but encourages the state to develop goals that meaningfully include Indigenous knowledge as part of a "just climate future." It directly addresses state leadership and agencies responsible for climate planning.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 38) supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request for additional resources and a timeline extension for fiscal year 2025-2026. The Working Group, established to protect Native Hawaiian cultural intellectual property through community consultations, needs more time and funding to develop solutions preventing cultural appropriation. The resolution expresses legislative support for their work without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 92) declares a public health emergency in Hawaii due to climate change impacts. It requests all state departments (including Health, Transportation, Agriculture, and Planning) and county governments to coordinate cross-sector efforts to identify, plan for, and create solutions addressing climate-related health threats like extreme heat, disease spread, food/water insecurity, and mental health impacts. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but mandates statewide coordination to strengthen Hawaii’s public health response to climate change. It builds on Hawaii’s prior climate emergency declaration (2021) but specifically focuses on health-sector collaboration.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 93 requests the City and County of Honolulu to display purple lights at City Hall on August 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day. This symbolic resolution commemorates military service members who were injured or killed in action, recognizing their sacrifices. It does not impose legal requirements on the city but asks for a visible annual tribute. The resolution is non-binding and focuses solely on honoring Purple Heart recipients through a public display.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 167) requests the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to study whether it can take over management of Mauna Ala, the historic Royal Mausoleum in Honolulu where Hawaiian royalty has been buried since 1865. OHA must assess its readiness, submit findings and recommendations by late 2025, and develop public education programs about the site's cultural significance. The resolution also asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create stewardship guidelines incorporating traditional Hawaiian practices. It does not transfer management but seeks a formal assessment amid ongoing discussions about who should care for this sacred site.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 96) affirms Hawaii's commitment to prioritizing marine ecosystem restoration as a strategy to meet state climate goals, including achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045 and reducing emissions 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. It specifically calls for strengthening carbon accounting methods to better measure emissions reductions from marine restoration projects and supports aligning such projects with renewable energy and conservation initiatives. The resolution directs state agencies (including the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Energy Office) to advance these efforts but does not create new laws or funding. It addresses statewide climate vulnerabilities, such as coastal flooding risks threatening infrastructure, cultural sites, and $19 billion in economic assets. As a procedural resolution, it serves as a policy statement rather than a binding mandate.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 136) requests the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to study whether it can take over management of Mauna Ala, a sacred Hawaiian burial site containing royal tombs since 1865. OHA must report its findings and recommendations - including any needed legislation - to the Legislature by January 2026, and develop public education programs about the site's cultural significance. The resolution also asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create stewardship guidelines incorporating traditional Hawaiian practices. It does not transfer management but seeks transparency amid ongoing discussions about who should care for the site.